Is Newquay a good place for a family beach holiday?
Yes, Newquay is very popular for family beach holidays. Many beaches like Towan, Tolcarne, and Great Western are centrally located, relatively sheltered, and offer facilities like cafes, toilets, and seasonal lifeguard cover. Activities like rock pooling at low tide, sandcastle building, and gentler waves make them suitable for children. Some surf schools also offer lessons for younger ages.
Is Newquay just for young surfers or is it good for couples / older visitors too?
While famous for surfing, Newquay offers more than just waves. Couples and older visitors can enjoy stunning coastal walks, beaches like Lusty Glaze (often hosting events) or the more relaxed Porth Beach, explore the town's restaurants and shops, or use it as a base to see wider Cornwall. The Gannel Estuary also offers beautiful, calmer scenery.
Can you actually swim in the sea at Newquay or is it too cold/rough?
Yes, you can swim in the sea at Newquay, particularly during summer months (June-September) when sea temperatures are warmest, typically 15-18°C. Some beaches like Towan are more sheltered than exposed surf spots like Fistral. However, the Atlantic water is always relatively cool compared to Mediterranean destinations. Always check conditions, be aware of rip currents (especially at Fistral), and swim on lifeguarded beaches between the red and yellow flags.
Are dogs allowed on Newquay's main beaches?
Dog restrictions vary by beach and time of year. Some central beaches like Towan, Tolcarne, and Great Western often have seasonal bans, typically from mid-May/July 1st to September 30th between 10 am and 6 pm. Fistral Beach usually allows dogs year-round, as do some beaches slightly further out like Crantock (National Trust) and Watergate Bay. Always check the latest Cornwall Council signage and rules before visiting.
Which Newquay beaches have hotels or apartments right on them?
Tolcarne Beach has apartments and the hotel literally on the beach, accessed via steps or a tunnel. Lusty Glaze Beach is privately owned but has accommodation options right on the sand. Watergate Bay has the prominent Watergate Bay Hotel overlooking the beach, plus apartments nearby. While not directly *on* the sand, Fistral has hotels (like The Headland) and apartments with direct beach views and very close access.
Which Newquay beach is best for surfing?
Fistral Beach is internationally renowned for surfing and offers conditions suitable for all levels, though it's best known for its powerful waves, especially at mid to high tide. It hosts major surfing competitions. Watergate Bay, a couple of miles north, also offers excellent surf, often slightly less crowded than Fistral.
Which Newquay beach is best for beginners learning to surf?
While Fistral has beginner lessons, Towan Beach and Great Western Beach in the town centre often offer gentler, smaller waves, especially at low tide, making them popular choices for first-time surfers and surf schools. Watergate Bay also has several surf schools and can be good for learners depending on the conditions.
Is parking difficult near the popular beaches like Fistral and Towan?
Yes, parking can be challenging and relatively expensive, especially during peak season (school holidays, summer weekends) near popular beaches like Fistral, Towan, and Tolcarne. Fistral has its own large car park, but it fills quickly. Town centre car parks serve Towan and Great Western but require a short walk. Arriving early or considering walking/local buses is advisable in summer.
Are there beaches you can easily walk to from Newquay town centre?
Yes, several beaches are directly accessible by foot from Newquay town centre. Towan Beach is the most central, located right below the main high street. Great Western Beach and Tolcarne Beach are also just a short walk away, accessed via slopes or steps from the cliff tops.
Do the tides make a big difference to the beaches in Newquay?
Yes, tides significantly impact Newquay's beaches. At low tide, vast expanses of sand are revealed, often connecting adjacent beaches like Towan, Great Western, and Tolcarne into one large stretch. High tide covers much of the sand, especially at beaches like Towan and Tolcarne where the beach can become very small or disappear. Tide times affect accessibility (e.g., Lusty Glaze access), safety (rip currents), and surfing conditions.
Are there any quieter, less crowded beaches near Newquay?
Yes, if you're looking to escape the main crowds, consider Porth Beach (north of the town centre, generally calmer), Whipsiderry Beach (access via steep steps, dramatic scenery), or Crantock Beach (south across the Gannel Estuary, requires ferry/footbridge at low tide or driving around). Watergate Bay, while popular, is very large so you can often find quieter spots further along.
What's the difference between Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay?
Fistral is right next to Newquay town, famous globally for surfing, often busy with a vibrant surf scene and competitions. Watergate Bay is a couple of miles north, a very long sandy beach backed by cliffs, also great for surfing and watersports but feels more expansive and perhaps slightly more 'resort-like' with prominent hotels/restaurants like The Watergate Bay Hotel and The Beach Hut overlooking it.
Are there toilets and cafes directly on the beaches in Newquay?
Most of the main beaches have facilities either directly on the beach or very close by. Fistral has cafes, restaurants, toilets, and shops right by the sand. Towan, Tolcarne, Great Western, Porth, and Watergate Bay all have cafes/restaurants and toilet facilities easily accessible from the beach.
Can you walk between the beaches in Newquay?
At low tide, you can often walk directly between Towan, Great Western, and Tolcarne beaches along the sand. You can also walk between most beaches using the South West Coast Path, which runs along the cliffs above, offering fantastic views but involving some hills and steps. Walking from the town beaches to Fistral involves going around the headland.
What's the best way to get to Watergate Bay from Newquay town?
Watergate Bay is about 2-3 miles north of Newquay town centre. You can drive (there's parking, but it gets busy), take a local bus (several routes run along the coast road), or walk via the coast path (allow at least 1-1.5 hours, scenic but hilly). Taxis are also available.
